Seeking a new home at a more appropriate "district" level, the Murray Football Netball League duo was formally rejected from a move to the PDFNL last week, with Picola league operations manager Shane Railton stating the duo had not undertaken all necessary processes to shift homes.
Railton, in particular, stated the clubs had not formally and officially transferred from their previous home by the October 31 deadline, and said the league could not even consider the applications as a result.
But Tungamah provided The News with a letter sent from MFL general manager Dale Norman on October 3, in which Norman granted the club permission to explore its options.
Norman confirmed he had written to both clubs, with permission granted to leave the league.
“Absolutely. At the start of October the Murray Football League executive granted Tungamah and Katandra permission to explore their options,” Norman said.
“We've had regular, weekly meetings with the clubs to keep up to date and to know what their members want to do. We've got nothing but support for the clubs, if we lose them it's unfortunate, but you have to do what is best for the clubs, not the league.”
But Railton stood by his league's processes and again asserted Tungamah had not followed correct procedure.
“There's a process to follow, by their own rules, and that is to give notice and then hold a meeting of all members and get a quorum,” Railton said.
“Tungamah seemingly did this via a committee meeting. This process alone is something we are well aware clubs have been obligated to follow when wishing to apply to join us in the past.
“Prior to applying to us, they need to have sent the relevant documents to the MFNL, who are then required to provide that to AFL Goulburn Murray to approve, who are then to inform us.
“The document which has now been provided permitting Tungamah to explore its options, is dated October 3 which is after they had applied to become a member and after we had met with the club.
“The request to explore options by way of commencing negotiations is required to be made to the AFL by July 31, something we were previously advised had been granted by the AFL. We asked the AFL on October 31 if they had received a transfer application consent and adjudicated on it, and they advised they hadn't.”
The clubs remain waiting for word from AFL Goulburn Murray surrounding the possibility of an appeal.
Regardless, Railton said the Picola league clubs had voted unanimously against the duo's admission to the league.
AFL Goulburn Murray region general manager Jamie Macri, Tungamah president Troy Costigan and Katandra president Corey Wilson were all contacted for comment.